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Drama box office · 1966

Drama Box Office 1966: Highest-Grossing Drama Movies

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) is the highest-grossing drama movie released in 1966, with $28M worldwide, ahead of The Battle of Algiers (1966) at $962K and Masculine Feminine (1966) at $205.5K. 24 drama films released in 1966 report a worldwide gross, $29.7M in all, 99% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 89% on 1965, whose releases took $272.6M. By language, English leads with $28.1M across 11 drama releases.

1966 releases with a gross
24
combined worldwide
$29.7M
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), the #1
$28M
vs 1965
−89%
Top 5

What Were the Biggest Drama Hits of 1966?

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) leads with $28M, 94% of the total. The top 5 together took $29.5M, 99% of what all 24 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

  1. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) movie poster Number 1
    $28M Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
    $28M US & Canada · 100% $6.9K elsewhere · <1%
  2. The Battle of Algiers (1966) movie poster Number 2
    $962K The Battle of Algiers (1966)
    $879.8K US & Canada · 91% $82.2K elsewhere · 9%
  3. Masculine Feminine (1966) movie poster Number 3
    $205.5K Masculine Feminine (1966)
    $200.4K US & Canada · 97% $5.2K elsewhere · 3%
  4. Andrei Rublev (1966) movie poster Number 4
    $181K Andrei Rublev (1966)
    $124.2K US & Canada · 69% $56.8K elsewhere · 31%
  5. A Man and a Woman (1966) movie poster Number 5
    $136.5K A Man and a Woman (1966)
    $91.8K US & Canada · 67% $44.7K elsewhere · 33%

US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world

The chart

Every Drama Release of 1966, Ranked by Worldwide Gross

Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1966.

  1. 1 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) movie poster
    Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Jun 22, 1966 · English · Drama $28M worldwide
    Jun 22, 1966 US and Canada: $28M Rest of the world: $6.9K Worldwide: $28M
  2. 2 The Battle of Algiers (1966) movie poster
    The Battle of Algiers (1966) Aug 31, 1966 · Arabic · History, Drama, War $962K worldwide
    Aug 31, 1966 US and Canada: $879.8K Rest of the world: $82.2K Worldwide: $962K
  3. 3 Masculine Feminine (1966) movie poster
    Masculine Feminine (1966) Sep 19, 1966 · French · Drama $205.5K worldwide
    Sep 19, 1966 US and Canada: $200.4K Rest of the world: $5.2K Worldwide: $205.5K
  4. 4 Andrei Rublev (1966) movie poster
    Andrei Rublev (1966) Dec 16, 1966 · Russian · History, Drama $181K worldwide
    Dec 16, 1966 US and Canada: $124.2K Rest of the world: $56.8K Worldwide: $181K
  5. 5 A Man and a Woman (1966) movie poster
    A Man and a Woman (1966) May 10, 1966 · French · Drama, Romance $136.5K worldwide
    May 10, 1966 US and Canada: $91.8K Rest of the world: $44.7K Worldwide: $136.5K
  6. 6 Au hasard Balthazar (1966) movie poster
    Au hasard Balthazar (1966) Sep 16, 1966 · French · Drama, Crime $45.4K worldwide
    Sep 16, 1966 US and Canada: $45.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $45.4K
  7. 7 Blow-Up (1966) movie poster
    Blow-Up (1966) Dec 18, 1966 · English · Drama, Mystery, Thriller $38.6K worldwide
    Dec 18, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $38.6K
  8. 8 The Face of Another (1966) movie poster
    The Face of Another (1966) Jul 15, 1966 · Japanese · Sci-Fi, Drama $35.2K worldwide
    Jul 15, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $35.2K
  9. 9 Closely Watched Trains (1966) movie poster
    Closely Watched Trains (1966) Nov 18, 1966 · Czech · War, Comedy, Drama $34.2K worldwide
    Nov 18, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $34.2K
  10. 10 The Nun (1966) movie poster
    The Nun (1966) May 6, 1966 · French · Drama $32.7K worldwide
    May 6, 1966 US and Canada: $30.2K Rest of the world: $2.4K Worldwide: $32.7K
  11. 11 King of Hearts (1966) movie poster
    King of Hearts (1966) Dec 21, 1966 · French · Drama, War, Comedy $18.1K worldwide
    Dec 21, 1966 US and Canada: $17.6K Rest of the world: $484 Worldwide: $18.1K
  12. 12 Daisies (1966) movie poster
    Daisies (1966) Dec 30, 1966 · Czech · Comedy, Drama $14.7K worldwide
    Dec 30, 1966 US and Canada: $13.7K Rest of the world: $980 Worldwide: $14.7K
  13. 13 Time to Die (1966) movie poster
    Time to Die (1966) Aug 11, 1966 · Spanish · Drama, Western $13.7K worldwide
    Aug 11, 1966 US and Canada: $13.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13.7K
  14. 14 10:30 P.M. Summer (1966) movie poster
    10:30 P.M. Summer (1966) Oct 24, 1966 · English · Romance, Drama $8.5K worldwide
    Oct 24, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.5K
  15. 15 Shakespeare Wallah (1966) movie poster
    Shakespeare Wallah (1966) Mar 22, 1966 · English · Drama $4.7K worldwide
    Mar 22, 1966 US and Canada: $4.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.7K
  16. 16 Cul-de-sac (1966) movie poster
    Cul-de-sac (1966) Nov 7, 1966 · English · Drama, Thriller, Comedy $1.5K worldwide
    Nov 7, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5K
  17. 17 This Property Is Condemned (1966) movie poster
    This Property Is Condemned (1966) Aug 3, 1966 · English · Drama, Romance $1.4K worldwide
    Aug 3, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4K
  18. 18 A Man for All Seasons (1966) movie poster
    A Man for All Seasons (1966) Dec 12, 1966 · English · Biography, Drama, History $756 worldwide
    Dec 12, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $756
  19. 19 Seconds (1966) movie poster
    Seconds (1966) Oct 5, 1966 · English · Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery $647 worldwide
    Oct 5, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $647
  20. 20 Fahrenheit 451 (1966) movie poster
    Fahrenheit 451 (1966) Sep 7, 1966 · English · Sci-Fi, Drama $581 worldwide
    Sep 7, 1966 US and Canada: $509 Rest of the world: $72 Worldwide: $581
  21. 21 Yesterday Girl (1966) movie poster
    Yesterday Girl (1966) Sep 5, 1966 · German · Drama $446 worldwide
    Sep 5, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $446
  22. 22 The Taking of Power by Louis XIV (1966) movie poster
    The Taking of Power by Louis XIV (1966) Oct 8, 1966 · French · Drama, History $266 worldwide
    Oct 8, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $266
  23. 23 Born Free (1966) movie poster
    Born Free (1966) Mar 26, 1966 · English · History, Adventure, Drama $143 worldwide
    Mar 26, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $143
  24. 24 The Group (1966) movie poster
    The Group (1966) Mar 4, 1966 · English · Drama $90 worldwide
    Mar 4, 1966 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $90
US & Canada vs the world

Where Did the Money Come From in 1966?

Of the top 10, Au hasard Balthazar (1966) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while A Man and a Woman (1966) made 33% of its gross abroad. Across all 24 films, $29.4M (99%) came from the US & Canada. 3 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.

  1. 1 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) $28M
    $28M US & Canada · 100% $6.9K elsewhere · <1%
  2. 2 The Battle of Algiers (1966) $962K
    $879.8K US & Canada · 91% $82.2K elsewhere · 9%
  3. 3 Masculine Feminine (1966) $205.5K
    $200.4K US & Canada · 97% $5.2K elsewhere · 3%
  4. 4 Andrei Rublev (1966) $181K
    $124.2K US & Canada · 69% $56.8K elsewhere · 31%
  5. 5 A Man and a Woman (1966) $136.5K
    $91.8K US & Canada · 67% $44.7K elsewhere · 33%
  6. 6 Au hasard Balthazar (1966) $45.4K
    $45.4K US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
  7. 7 Blow-Up (1966) $38.6K
    No US & Canada figure reported
  8. 8 The Face of Another (1966) $35.2K
    No US & Canada figure reported
  9. 9 Closely Watched Trains (1966) $34.2K
    No US & Canada figure reported
  10. 10 The Nun (1966) $32.7K
    $30.2K US & Canada · 93% $2.4K elsewhere · 7%
Gross bands

How Many 1966 Releases Crossed $100 Million?

None of the 24 films reached $100M. 23 films, 96% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $29.7M total.

  • $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
  • $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
  • $100M to $500M 0 films, 0% of the list No films
  • $10M to $100M 1 film, 4% of the list $28M · 94% of the gross
  • Under $10M 23 films, 96% of the list $1.7M · 6% of the gross
By release month

Which Month of 1966 Earned the Most?

June releases took the most, $28M from 1 film, led by Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). March was the quietest month ($4.9K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.

  1. January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  2. February Feb No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  3. March Mar Shakespeare Wallah (1966) $4.9K Shakespeare Wallah (1966)
  4. April Apr No reported grosses – No reported grosses
  5. May May A Man and a Woman (1966) $169.1K A Man and a Woman (1966)
  6. June Jun Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) $28M Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
  7. July Jul The Face of Another (1966) $35.2K The Face of Another (1966)
  8. August Aug The Battle of Algiers (1966) $977.1K The Battle of Algiers (1966)
  9. September Sep Masculine Feminine (1966) $252K Masculine Feminine (1966)
  10. October Oct 10:30 P.M. Summer (1966) $9.4K 10:30 P.M. Summer (1966)
  11. November Nov Closely Watched Trains (1966) $35.7K Closely Watched Trains (1966)
  12. December Dec Andrei Rublev (1966) $253.1K Andrei Rublev (1966)
Last 10 years

How Does 1966 Compare With Previous Years?

Of these 10 years, 1965 earned the most: $272.6M from 21 films, led by The Sound of Music (1965). 1966 took $29.7M.

Year Films Worldwide Change Biggest film
1957 24 films 24 $32.5M – The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) $27.2M
1958 21 films · −90% 21 $3.3M −90% Touch of Evil (1958) $2.3M
1959 18 films · +2173% 18 $75M +2173% Ben-Hur (1959) $74.4M
1960 28 films · −71% 28 $21.9M −71% The Apartment (1960) $18.8M
1961 28 films · −70% 28 $6.5M −70% Mother and a Guest (1961) $3.7M
1962 34 films · −9% 34 $6M −9% The Manchurian Candidate (1962) $2.8M
1963 15 films · +963% 15 $63.5M +963% Cleopatra (1963) $57.8M
1964 19 films · +18% 19 $74.9M +18% My Fair Lady (1964) $72.7M
1965 21 films · +264% 21 $272.6M +264% The Sound of Music (1965) $159.5M
1966 24 films · −89% 24 $29.7M −89% Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) $28M
By language

Which Languages Do the Biggest Drama Movies Speak in 1966?

English-language drama films took $28.1M across 11 films, 94% of the total, ahead of Arabic-language drama films ($962K) and French-language drama films ($438.5K).

1966 Drama Box Office by Language

  1. English $28.1M
    11 films · #1 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
  2. Arabic $962K
    1 film · #1 The Battle of Algiers (1966)
  3. French $438.5K
    6 films · #1 Masculine Feminine (1966)
  4. Russian $181K
    1 film · #1 Andrei Rublev (1966)
  5. Czech $48.9K
    2 films · #1 Closely Watched Trains (1966)
  6. Japanese $35.2K
    1 film · #1 The Face of Another (1966)
  7. Spanish $13.7K
    1 film · #1 Time to Die (1966)
  8. German $446
    1 film · #1 Yesterday Girl (1966)
Archive

Drama Box Office Year by Year

Every year from 1919 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $13.9B, led by The Lion King (2019).

2020s 7 years · $50.1B
2010s 10 years · $113.6B
2000s 10 years · $70.7B
1990s 10 years · $42.3B
1980s 10 years · $14.2B
1970s 10 years · $5B
1960s 10 years · $865.1M
1950s 10 years · $438.7M
1940s 10 years · $775.9M
1930s 10 years · $2.8M
1920s 8 years · $10.4M
1910s 1 year · $160
FAQ

Drama Box Office 1966: Questions & Answers

The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 24 films as the chart.

What is the highest-grossing drama movie in 1966?

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) leads with $28M worldwide, $28M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Battle of Algiers (1966) at $962K and Masculine Feminine (1966) at $205.5K.

How much did drama movies released in 1966 earn?

24 drama films released in 1966 report a worldwide gross, $29.7M in all, or $1.2M per film on average. 1965 releases took $272.6M.

How many drama movies released in 1966 made $1 billion?

None. The biggest, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), earned $28M.

How much of the 1966 Drama box office came from the US and Canada?

$29.4M of the $29.7M total, or 99%, was earned in the US & Canada (the domestic market); the rest came from other countries. 12 films of the 24 report no domestic figure.

How is the 1966 drama box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?

Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 1966. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.

How often is the 1966 drama box office chart updated?

Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.